SWANSBORO — Jane True was doing a little shopping Tuesday at the Hem of His Garment thrift shop and a week or so earlier had stopped in to make a donation.

“I’m glad they are here,” the Swansboro resident said as she combed the racks in search of a new cardigan. “Their ministry is outreach and what they raise stays in Swansboro and their service area.”

The thrift shop, known affectionately as The Hem, is operated by White Oak Ecumenical Outreach Ministries. The money it generates helps fund the programs that the nonprofit provides to help individuals and families in need in Onslow and western Carteret counties, the area served by its 12-member churches.

True was among customers who shopped the aisles of the Hem as it bustled with activity. It was business as usual with the exception of some demolition at the back of the building.

A renovation is under way that brings new plans for the initial building at the current WOEOM location at 724 W. Corbett Ave. in Swansboro.

The thrift shop and the complex that serves as home to WOEOM and its programs has grown up around that first building and after a long life of service, it is now coming down.

“We’re tearing it down and it’s going to be gone,” said Jeff Wilson, who serves as manager of the Hem.

Wilson said the demolition should be completed within the next week or so and construction of the new building will take up the same area as the initial building.

But what will go up in its place is a new two-story structure of about 30,000 total square feet.

Construction is expected to take about three months.

“There’s no timeline, but we’re expecting around May,” Wilson said.

The new building will house administrative offices on the top floor with space at the bottom floor for appliance and furniture repair, storage and other needs.

During the construction, no closures or interruption of services is anticipated, Wilson said.

“We don’t anticipate that happening,” Wilson said. “A lot of people are counting on us to do what we do.”

Wilson said the thrift shop generates about $65,000 in sales each month and after WOEOM covers its operating expenses, the rest goes into its programs serving the community through its family assistance, food bank, holiday benevolence and other programs.

“An average of $35,000 to $40,000 goes back out each month,” he said.

And the work of WOEOM is done by volunteers.

“The Hem is doing God’s work. It’s good to be helping people; it’s a good feeling,” said Wilson, who has volunteered for about 10 years.

“Other than my son being born and marrying my wife, this has been the best thing I’ve ever done,” he said.

Page 2 of 2 - Wilson said the original Hem opened a little more than 30 years ago in a small green house further down Corbett Avenue. When the Hem outgrew that building it moved to the current location.

At that time, Wilson said, an area Catholic church was building a new church and donated the building it was vacating to WOEOM, which paid to tow it down N.C. 24 to its new site.

He said WOEOM operated out of that building for several years and then added the thrift shop building that now fronts N.C. 24. With a few expansions, the two buildings were connected.

As the thrift shop expanded, so did the various programs.

In 1994, Wilson said, the James and Eleanor Tutor building was opened and houses the family assistance and food pantry. The back of the Tutor building is the receiving and processing area for donations.

Wilson said the renovation now under way will cost $750,000 and is being paid through bank financing. Wilson said any donations to help fund or otherwise contribute to the project would be welcome. Anyone willing to donate can contact him at the Hem at 910-326-1811.